Zanussi Earns First OHL Win in Shootout

Mississauga, ON – The Steelheads returned home to the Hershey Centre Sunday, following a 1-0 shootout win Saturday in Belleville. Spencer Martin earned his first shutout of the season, stopping all 41 shots in the victory. Mississauga hoped to bring the momentum from last night into this afternoon matinee, the only OHL game of the day.

The Wolves came out with energy as the Steelheads tried to keep their legs under them coming off three games in as many days. Mississauga was first to the power play in the game, but couldn’t pull the trigger. A number of roughing penalties forced the Steelheads to contend with an extended penalty kill. On the chance, Jacob Harris opened the scoring for Sudbury. Spencer Martin was injured on the play, and was forced to leave the game. Cameron Zanussi entered the game in relief as the Trout trailed on the scoreboard. Mississauga looked much better on their second power play opportunity with four minutes left in the period, but again failed to find the back of the net.

Nathan Bastian had a quality scoring chance in the first minute of the middle frame, but was hauled down as he approached the net. On the ensuing power play, Jimmy Lodge tapped in a rebound to tie the score. Not long after, Matt Schmalz reinstated the Wolves lead. Eight minutes into the frame, Nathan Bastian showed great patience waiting out Samuel Tanguay as he slid in his ninth of the season. Ivan Kashtanov beat Zanussi glove side as he absorbed a hit from Justin Bean late in the period.

Bastian came out hot again in the third and this time, made no mistake as he tied the game for the second time before the period was a minute old. The Steelheaeds seemed to have found their stride in the third, carrying much of the possession. Sudbury kept pace and took the lead on a goal by Kyle Capobianco. Cody Thompson scored his first goal in a Steelheads uniform to tie the game with 2:30 left in regulation. No decision was found through 60 minutes, so the Fish headed to overtime.

Although Mississauga had a number of chances in the frame, overtime solved nothing and for the second straight game, the Steelheads headed to the shootout. Sam Babintsev shot first for and found the back of the net just as he did against Belleville. Ivan Kashtanov was the first shooter for Sudbury. He beat Zanussi, but the puck rang off the post and the crossbar and did not cross the goal line. Bryson Cianfrone had the game on his stick after Zanussi stopped Harris on a backhand attempt. Cianfrone moved from backhand to forehand and fired home the game-winning goal, giving Zanussi his first career OHL victory.

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS 3 STARS

1 – Nathan Bastian

2 – Ivan Kashtanov

3 – Cody Thompson

The Steelheads have a week off for Christmas break, and will return to the Hershey Centre next Sunday to take on the Niagara IceDogs. The Holiday Value Pack will be available until January 4, get four tickets, four popcorns, four water bottles and four programs – all for the low price of $48. Tickets still available on Ticketmaster.